L.M. Montgomery's most popular novel, dramatized into a tender and
amusing play in 3 acts by Alice Chadwicke. 4 males, 10 females, 1
interior set. Modern costumes.
Mark Twain, the celebrated humorist, was so taken with the quaint charm
of L.M. Montgomery's tremendously popular novel that upon reading it for
the first time he said: "In 'Anne of Green Gables' you will find the
dearest and most moving and delightful girl since the immortal Alice."
[Anne is played by a girl in her middle teens.] And for years this
fascinating book has headed the list of best sellers. It has been made
twice as a movie, once a silent picture and only recently as a talkie,
but it has remained for the distinguished dramatist, Alice Chadwicke, to
make the first and only dramatization of this magically beautiful story.
Green Gables is the home of lovable Matthew Cuthbert and his stern
sister, Marilla Cuthbert. Nobody suspects that beneath her hard exterior
there lurks a soft and tender heart. When Matthew, after a great deal of
reflection, finally decides to adopt an orphan boy to help with his farm
work, Marilla grudgingly consents. Through a rattlebrained friend of
theirs, one Nancy Spencer, they agree to take a boy from the Hopeton
Orphanage. Marilla makes ready to receive the boy and Matthew drives to
the station to get him. Fancy his consternation when he finds little
Anne Shirley waiting for him! There has been a mistake and Anne has been
sent to Green Gables in lieu of a boy whom the Cuthberts plan to adopt.
From the instant Anne and Matthew meet a strong attachment grows up
between the little orphan and the man who has been starving for
affection without realizing it. Anne, with her vivid imagination, her
charitable viewpoint, her refreshing simplicity, touches the old
bachelor's heart. But not so with Marilla. She determines to send Anne
back to the orphanage the following day. But she reckons without Anne
who is so enchanted by everything at Green Gables and who cries and begs
and pleads so hard to remain that even Marilla finally gives in and
consents. Anne is the sort of part that every young girl will adore
playing, and the other parts offer splendid opportunities to the various
members of the cast. The play breathes of youth, is thoroughly modern in
spirit, very simple to prepare and present and Miss Chadwicke has
written into it such an abundance of warmth, wit, and motion that it
becomes an endless delight.
(Royalty, $25.00.) Price, 75 cents.